MM-Watcher - MagicMirror Config.js Auto-Refresh Script

[sdetweil]

@chrisfr1976 if you used my installer script, and selected pm2, I auto configure for watching the config.js file
BUT they changed the construct to only watch a folder… dumb

just fyi… if the changes you are making are in css or the UI side (modulename.js)

you don’t have to restart, just refresh the page with ctrl-r
as those two files are reloaded on refresh

[chrisfr1976]

@sdetweil thats why I made the module. The Pi is completely headless. So I’m in the kitchen with my laptop and enjoy this autorefresh now. Before that I’ve used a Script on my Smartphone. Also manual and annoying :-)
And sure, also the xdotool command is just pressing “ctrl+r” for me.

[plainbroke]

@chrisfr1976

I use a file called mm.json ,don’t remember where I got this info, but it still works great. I have it and a copy of the mm.sh in the /home/pi/ folder… the one your setup goes to when you do cd then enter.
this is the code inside it.

    "apps":[
        {
            "name":"mm",
            "script":"./mm.sh",
            "cwd":"/home/pi",
            "watch":[
                "/home/pi/MagicMirror/config/config.js"
            ],
            "watch_options":{
                "followSymlinks":true
            }
        }
    ]
}

I pm2 delete all that have to do with MagicMirror startup.
Then do a pm2 start mm.json then pm2 save and PM2 saves it as mm.
Now anytime I change something in config.js MagicMirror restarts.
I wish I was smart enough with code to figure out how to get it to restart when I modify the custom.css too.

[sdetweil]

@plainbroke great!!! i will fix my json file !!!thanks

[chrisfr1976]

@plainbroke
Hi,
my mm.sh also restarts the mirror. But my intention with was doing only a refresh to save a lot of time. My restarts script sleeps 15s before it is executed. So i created a seperate refresh script.

[plainbroke]

@chrisfr1976
Ok mine doesn’t wait. I usually do a list of changes I have researched.
So the complete restart of MM is ok for me.
Right now trying to figure out a couple of modules that are not loading…

[sdetweil]

@plainbroke interesting, my file and your have just two changes

1. you have the cwd: setting
2. you have followSymlinks (which we don’t have any of)

I added cwd to mine and now MM restarts… weird

[plainbroke]

@sdetweil
Glad it works for you.
I have no Idea where it came from. I would guess from someone on this forum.

[sdetweil]

@plainbroke well, mine looks nearly identical… just missing the cwd…

I opened an issue about this 2 years ago, never got a response…
and adding cwd (current working directory)

I don’t know how that matters… but whatever… it works now…